Royals defender Ulises De La Cruz is giving up at least 10 per cent of his monthly salary to help people in the Ecuadorian village where he grew up, it has emerged.

De La Cruz, who will turn 33 on Thursday next week, has set up a foundation bearing his name to help change the lives of people living in Piquiucho.

He told the Post he is giving up at least 10 per cent and sometimes more of his monthly salary.

And so far the thousands of pounds De La Cruz has pumped into his home village has helped buy hundreds of books for youngsters and build a water treatment system.

He is also currently helping finance the building of a sports and community centre and 60 new homes and personally pays for breakfast and lunch every day for 100 pupils in his village’s primary school.

In May he will travel to Piquiucho for the inauguration of the 60 new homes, and has also financed a medical centre in the village, paying the salaries of a doctor, dentist and nurse who work there.

The Ecuadorian international, who scored a goal during the match against Sheffield United earlier this month and is believed to earn around £15,000 to £20,000 a month, said last night: “It is my village and life is difficult there.

“It is difficult to go to school, to get books and to get materials.

“I want the children and their families to have a better future; often children do not believe in the future, they stay at home and do nothing.”

He added: “I play football for my country and my bonus is the charity work.”

He even revealed that he has given up his holiday time to do good works.

“My holiday is spent working for charity. I don’t go to the beach or to parties,” he said.

“But if the village improves then I’m happy.”

Yesterday, the player was hailed a role model for youngsters across the world for using his footballing talent to fight poverty.

The player – along with fellow footballers including Wayne Rooney, Andryi Shevchenko and Fabio Cannavaro – has also helped raise millions of pounds as part of a scheme set up during last summer’s World Cup.

The FIFA/SOS Ambassadors programme, which is organised by charity SOS Children and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), aims to help orphans in the world’s most deprived areas.

“Ulises is a true role model for children around the world,” SOS Children spokeswoman Chrissy Davey told the Post yesterday.

“He has worked very hard to get where he is today but despite the fame and fortune football has brought him he is a very kind and generous man, keen to use his position to help those less fortunate than himself.

“SOS Children is extremely grateful to Ulises for his support and commitment to our work with orphans and vulnerable children all around the world, not only in his native Ecuador.”

De La Cruz, who is also a UNICEF ambassador, joined Reading Football Club last August and has made eight appearances for the side this season.

The footballer, who learned the beautiful game on makeshift pitch made of dust and stone, started his career at the Ecuadorian club of Deportivo Quito.

De La Cruz moved to the UK in 2001 when he started playing for the Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

A year later he moved to Aston Villa, where he played for four years until he joined Reading on a free transfer.